For many Twin Cities residents, Shakopee is, well, a bit of a drive. So it better be a good sale for many of us to drive out there, even with gas under $3 a gallon.

But several small business owners in Shakopee have the right idea by holding their semi-annual sales on the same days, so shoppers can drive from sale to sale like a neighborhood garage sale.

Here's a list of participating store owners:

Northaire soup sale: Save up to 50 percent on a wide variety of packaged soups, desserts and appetizers.The best part? Lots of free samples from the soup ladies themselves, Maggie and Mary. For more info, including hours and directions, go to the Delish website.

Cameron's Coffee includes their speciality Arabica coffees and liquers. Also free tours of the roastery.

Dianne's Candle Company includes name brand scented candles that have soldl for $45 in stores and about $15 at the sale, including labels such as Ralph Lauren and Vera Wang. Next to Gage & Gage at 700 Valley Industrial Circle S., Shakopee.

Carrie Rocha of Pocket Your Dollars.com does a nice list of Veteran's Day deals every year. In addition to the list below, Dock 86 is offering 10% off with a military ID at its Little Canada and Rogers locations.

Restaurant Offers

5-8 Club (MN) — Free Burger All veterans will be served a free burger all day at any 5-8 Club location (Champlin, Maplewood and Minneapolis). Please present your military ID at the time of ordering.

Bar Louie — Free Lunch or Dinner Veterans and active military get free lunch or dinner (up to $12 value) on Sunday or Monday at Bar Louie with proof of military service. Find a Bar Louie location near you.

Buca di Beppo — Free Pasta Through 11/11, Buca di Beppo is offering a free individual pasta for veterans and active duty military. Choose from Spaghetti Marinara, Fettuccine Alfredo or Baked Ziti. You must have the coupon that was sent to Buca eClub members (I can’t provide the link here). Find a Buca di Beppo location near you.

Einstein Bros. Bagels — Free Bagel & Shmear All active, inactive and retired military personnel get a free bagel & shmear on Veterans Day at Einstein Bros. Bagels. No coupon necessary, just tell the cashier you’re a veteran. Limit 1 per guest. Find an Einstein Bros. Bagels location near you.

Famous Dave’s — Various DealsVarious Famous Dave’s locations nationwide are offering discounts for former and current military personnel (discounts vary according to location). Minnesota locations are offering a free Two Meat Salute or 10% off (depending on location).

Grand Casino Mille Lacs and Hinckley (MN) — Free Buffet Grand Casino Mille Lacs and Grand Casino Hinckley will show their appreciation for military veterans a free lunch or dinner at the Grand Buffet. Lunch is served from 10am-3pm and Classic Dinner Buffet is served from 4-8pm at Mille Lacs, while lunch is served from 9am-3pm and Classic Dinner Buffet is served from 3-8:30pm at Hinckley.

Green Mill Restaurant & Bar — 50% Off Veterans and active duty military save 50% on any entrée on the menu at Green Mill all day. Proof of military service includes uniform, military ID, military earnings statement or veterans organization member card.

McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant — Free Meal Veterans receive a complimentary entree from a special menu on Sunday, 11/10 (note the date difference). All veterans must show official verification.

Perkins — Free Breakfast Select Perkins restaurants are offering a free Magnificent Seven meal with presentation of any military ID on Veterans Day. Please note that not all Perkins restaurants are participating, so you’ll need to call ahead to see if the one you want to go to is. Find a Perkins location near you.

Treasure Island Resort and Casino (MN) — Free Buffet Veterans and active military receive a free buffet at Tradewinds Buffet at Treasure Island Resort and Casino. Visit the Island Passport Club and show your military ID or discharge papers along with your Island Passport Club card (it’s free to join) to receive your special offer.

Retail Store Offers

Albertville Premium Outlets (MN) — Free Coupon Book Members of the military, veterans and their families can show their IDs at the on-site Information Center all year long to receive a free VIP Coupon Book.

Cabela’s — Hometown Heroes Employee Discount All veterans, active duty military and reserves as well as law enforcement, firefighters and EMS personnel get the employee discount at Cabela’s on 11/11 and 11/12. Just present your service ID at checkout to receive the discount which is good on virtually everything in the store.

JCPenney — 20% Off All current and former military personnel and family members get an extra 20% off at JCPenney through 11/11. Must present military ID or proof of services as well as this printable coupon.

Free Admission to National Parks More than 100 national parks that usually charge an entrance fee are offering free admission to everyone on Veterans Day weekend, November 9-11. Fee waiver includes entrance fees, commercial tour fees and transportation entrance fees. Find a National Park near you.

Free ARMagnets In honor of Veterans Day, www.ARMagnets.com is giving away free military ARMagnets (a $23.95 value). Click on the Specialty tab, then select Army, Air Force or Marines ARMagnet. Use the coupon code VET2013 at checkout and your order will be free, flat-rate shipping of $10.00 not included. (Thanks, Brent!)

Free Car Washes Veterans and military personnel can get a free car wash at various locations nationwide on November 11 as a part of the Grace for Vets program. Find a participating car wash near you. For our Minnesota readers, there are 37 participating locations in the state.

Free Night’s Stay at Select Bed & Breakfasts and HotelsSelect inns and B&Bs are offering a free night’s stay to active and retired military and one guest each. Space is limited, so be sure to make your reservation as soon as possible.

Free Passes to Nickelodeon Universe (MN) The American Red Cross and Mall of America/Nickelodeon Universe are donating a total of 1,500 free passes to Nickelodeon Universe theme park for access from 11am-4pm on Saturday, 11/10 (note the different date). Each family may request up to 4 passes (you can do so online right now) and tickets can be picked up starting at 10am.

Free Veterans Day Event in Wayzata (MN) Check out the Veterans Day salute at Heritage Park in Wayzata from 11am-2pm on Sunday (note the different date) with a patriotic ceremony at noon. Flags will be provided.

Free Veterans Day Program at Stans Museum (MN) Saturday, 11/9 (note the different date) from 12-2pm there will be a free Veterans Day program at the Stans Museum in Shakopee. Check out patriotic crafts for kids from 12-1pm and a presentation by Tom Melchior from 1-2pm.

Comments

Great list you have here. We have some additions for you and your community! Our company is assisting in the roll out of 15 new deals for Veterans Day. The deals are nationwide and most extend well past Veterans Day.